MOST fire hydrants across Cebu City were found to be either non-functional or obstructed in an inspection conducted by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), in coordination with the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) team.
The inspections were done in various locations Tuesday afternoon, June 3, 2025, following a report from the Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO) and the MCWD during a CCDRRMC meeting held earlier that day.
The report highlighted critical issues involving the city’s fire hydrant infrastructure.
According to the report, out of 226 fire hydrants, 52 suffered from low water pressure, 42 were non-functional and 11 were obstructed.
Of the hydrants that were functional, 19 had high water pressure and only 23 were in good condition.
The CCFO report was prompted by numerous complaints from firefighters regarding non-functioning hydrants during emergency situations.
In an interview on Tuesday, CCDRRMC chairman Ramil Ayuman said checking the hydrants’ condition was crucial in fire preparedness.
Fire Code compliance
Ayuman emphasized the need for the hydrants to be compliant with the Fire Code.
“The hydrants have to be compliant because even if there is water flowing out of the hydrants, fire operations will be obstructed if they are blocked,” Ayuman said in Cebuano.
According to Ayuman, if the problem is left unattended, there will be an increase in risks when fire breaks out.
He also noted another recurring complaint from firefighters that some hydrants’ valves are loose, stressing the importance of proper valve functionality.
Ayuman said he will recommend to the new City Hall administration that incoming officials prioritize making all existing hydrants fully operational.
Ayuman also said the Probe team is set to send notices to establishments that have obstructed seven of the fire hydrants.
Ayuman said the seven hydrants that were found obstructed during the inspection were located in Barangays Suba, Sambag 2, Parian, Tejero, T. Padilla and Pahina San Nicolas which had two obstructed hydrants. He said most of the hydrants that were obstructed were located on sidewalks.
The CCDRRMC will also work on the budget needed for the hydrants’ repairs, said Ayuman. / JPS